The Moderator's diary
During their year in office, the Moderator visits two Church of Scotland Presbyteries; travels to partner churches overseas; represents the Church of Scotland on historic and national occasions; supports the work of Committees, congregations and organisations; and meets with interfaith and ecumenical bodies.
Below are details of the engagements in the moderatorial diary this month.
- 3 November 2024
The Moderator will travel to Johnstone, to preach at Houston and Killellan Kirk’s 150th anniversary service. In the evening, Dr Paterson will preach in Motherwell, as Dalziel St Andrew's mark their 150th anniversary with a service of Communion.
- 4 November 2024 - 5 November 2024
The Moderator will travel to Inverness to spend time with CrossReach Services. Dr Paterson’s visits will include: Cale House (supporting those who have been homeless), Cameron House (residential care for those living with dementia) and Beechwood House (supporting those recovering from substance abuse), as well as engagement with the CrossReach Children’s and Family Counselling Service.
- 6 November 2024
The Moderator will speak at the CrossReach Employee Awards Ceremony, which this year is being held in Dunblane.
- 7 November 2024
The Moderator will meet with the Church of Scotland’s Chief Officer.
- 8 November 2024
The Moderator will join Glasgow Street Pastors as they patrol the City Centre.
- 9 November 2024
The Moderator will attend a Concert held at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh to mark Polish Independence Day.
- 10 November 2024
The Moderator will lay a wreath on behalf of the General Assembly at Edinburgh City Chambers’ Stone of Remembrance, before leading the prayers of intercession at the Remembrance Sunday service in St Giles’ Cathedral.
- 11 November 2024
As Scottish Interfaith Week begins, the Moderator will visit Glasgow Central Mosque. In the evening, Dr Paterson will join the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, as they meet online.
- 12 November 2024
- The Moderator will speak at the National Learning Disabilities Forum, run by (and for) the clients of CrossReach Services, which this year is being held in Hamilton.
- 13 November 2024
The Moderator will attend a Scottish Interfaith Week Civic Reception being hosted by the Lord Provost in Glasgow City Chambers.
- 14 November 2024 - 15 November 2024
The Moderator will participate in the Priority Areas ‘Big Conversation’ gathering, being held in Glasgow.
- 18 November 2024 - 22 November 2024
The Moderator will visit London. The week’s programme will include preaching in the Houses of Parliament; meeting with: the Chief Rabbi, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Speaker of the House of Commons; lunch with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Faith, Communities and Resettlement; attending a Reception in Buckingham Palace; and speaking at a Fundraising Dinner in support of the homelessness charity, ScotsCare.
- 24 November 2024
The Moderator will preach at St Andrew's Church of Scotland in Newcastle, then join the congregation for lunch.
- 26 November 2024
The Moderator will meet with Patrick Harvie MSP in the Scottish Parliament. Dr Paterson hopes to meet with the leaders of all Scottish parties over the course of November and December. In the afternoon, to mark the beginning of Advent, Dr Paterson will present the gift of an Advent Wreath to the Presiding Officer. Later that day, Dr Paterson will join an online meeting of the Scottish Church Leaders Forum.
- 28 November 2024
The Moderator will meet with Anas Sarwar MSP in the Scottish Parliament. In the evening, Dr Paterson will join the fourth online lecture in the 2024 Chalmers Lecture Series, delivered by the Revd Professor John Swinton of Aberdeen University.